Chapter 5 Broken Trust

Seraphina's POV

Though I had anticipated problems, the weight of the events of the evening landed mostly on me as I hobbled back to the pack house. I was still reeling from the close call even though the confrontation with Lydia Crowe had been fierce. Kael's presence calmed me down as well as unsettled me. His firm efforts saved us, but his shadow loomed big over what I was trying to do.

"Seraphina, wait!," said

I turned to catch up with Raiden running. Concern carved on his face. "Are you Alright?"

I nodded, although my mind was far from quiet. " I'm good. Just exhausted.

Eyes of Raiden looked at me. You ran a great risk tonight. Lydia is not someone you should get enraged over.

"I had no choice," I said, attempting to steady my voice. "We required her knowledge. That was the sole approach.

The frown of Raiden grew more severe. "I know, but keep in mind Kael isn't the only one observing. Lydia's allegiance is erratic as it comes. You need to exercise caution.

His comments kept coming back to me when I got to my quarters. Searching for comfort in the familiarity of my surroundings, I looked about the room. Though tonight it felt empty, my haven was a modest, unassuming place. I collapsed onto my bed, my brain running over the events of the evening.

My thoughts were cut off by a knock at the door. Kael came in before I could reply, his face a mix of relief and annoyance. "Serapina."

I sat up and murmured, "Kael." "What drives you here?

His voice quieter than normal, he replied, "I wanted to check on you." "Tonight you took rather a risk."

I tried to stare him in the eye, but his worry made me uncomfortable. "I had to. Lydia was not going to readily give up the material. Besides, it's not as if you were going to do it for me.

Kael narrowed his eyes, but he maintained his voice even. "You're correct. But you have to realize that your safety comes first. Not now, nor later, I can afford to lose you.

Though honest, his comments stung. Kael, I am not a delicate flower. I can take care of myself.

"I know," he responded, his tone slightly changing. "But you should exercise caution." We are in treacherous seas; every action matters.

I nodded, annoyed at the same moment. I understand it. I am only doing my share.

Kael moved closer and his face softened. "Your commitment is much appreciated, Seraphina. Still, there is far more at risk than only the immediate danger. Here we are engaged in a protracted game.

I stopped at his voice because of its genuineness. I could sense the weight of leadership he carried so much on his shoulders, of duty. It caused me to consider the man behind the Alpha, the one who had to make daily tough judgments.

"I know," I murmured gently. "I only want to be of assistance. I want to not be a liability.

Kael's eyes softened still further, then he rested a palm lightly on my shoulder. You do not constitute a liability. But we have to be wise about how we handle things. Lydia's coalition is brittle, hence we cannot afford any mistakes.

Though little, the sensation of his palm made me tremble. His action created an odd mix of comfort and anxiety that unsettled me. I watched a flutter of something unreadable in his eyes as he retreated.

"Get some rest," he suggested in a soft but stern voice. "We will need you sharp for what is next."

I was trapped between irritation and something more as he left-something I wasn't quite ready to acknowledge. Though the evening had worn me out, the emotional turbulence was far from done. Though valued, Kael's worry also made me think of the careful equilibrium we were all striving to preserve.

The pack house was tense the following day. The usual buzz was replaced by a tense silence broken only by the odd whisper of discussion. Everyone was carrying the weight of yesterday's events, the prospect of what was to come firmly on our shared shoulders.

Kael's voice broke through the quiet as I was in the middle of batch-making healing herbs. "Seraphina, I have to talk with you.

I glanced up, startled. "What is up?"

Kael beckoned for me to accompany him to a more private part of the house; his expression was . He stared at me with an intensity that had my heart racing once we were by ourselves.

"I have been considering our next moves," he started. "Although Lydia's material is helpful, it only helps to piece the jigsaw. We had to be ready for the likelihood that Lucian would turn around.

I nodded and absorbed his comments. "What's the schedule?"

Kael moaned and ran a hand over his hair. "We will have to strengthen our argument. To go over our plan, I am gathering the other pack leaders for a conference. We have to portray a united front as this will be a difficult negotiation.

"Sounds like a good plan," I responded, unable to get rid of the uneasy feeling. But then what about Lydia?

Kael's countenance clouded. "Lydia's cooperation is transient." Her availability is not long-term reliable. We must be ready for whatever happens next.

I watched him and saw the tension in his eyes. "And you?" You seem agitated.

Kael looked at me, his eyes suggesting fragility. "For you, Seraphina, is a lot to manage. Oversaw this pack, handled risks, and worked toward our future security. Sometimes, despite all I do, it seems as though everything is disintegrating.

His admissions caught me off guard. Kael had always seemed to me as the perfect leader-one who never displayed frailty. Seeing him in this state, battling the weight of his responsibility, served as a reminder that even the toughest among us have limits.

"I understand," I murmured softly. I also want to be helpful. Though I might not have all the solutions, I am here.

Kael's eyes softened and for a minute his harshness slipped away. "Thank you." That implies more than you might know.

I thought about the complexity of our circumstances as we were ending our chat. Our obstacles were great, and the road forward was dangerous. Still, there was a feeling of friendship and shared goal that gave me hope within all of it.

Though it had tried us, the evening had also revealed our weaknesses and talents. I knew our road was far from finished as we were ready for the battles ahead. We were in this together, confronting a future full of unknown risk. And even if the road ahead was challenging, we would negotiate with tenacity and will.